Wearing apparel



1966 I E. H. PHELPS 3,266,057

WEARING APPAREL Filed Feb. 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I FIG.2

INVENTOR.

ELIZABETH H. PHELPS ATTORNEY 6, 1966 E. H. PHELPS 3,266,057

WEARING APPAREL Filed Feb. 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY W 7. barb ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,266,057 WEG APPAREL Elizabeth H. Phelps, Box 44, Skyland, N.C. Filed Feb. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 346,824 2 Claims. (Cl. 2-227) This invention relates to wearing apparel and more par ticularly to a garment combination which may be readily converted from a pair of shorts into a pair of slacks or vice versa.

I am aware that it has been previously proposed to provide garments which may be converted from one form to another by having removable or detachable portions. For example, see U.S. Patents No. 269,479 to Stretch et al. and No. 2,081,532 to Fisch. However, in modern trousers the shape is very important and the outward appearance of the garment drastically affects its commercial practicability and its overall usefulness.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pair of shorts having an attractive appearance when worn separately which may be easily converted into a pair of equally attractive slacks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new combination of wearing apparel having features which insure that the proper leg portion of the shorts is always connected to the corresponding portion of a tubular extension.

Other objects of the invention will be obvious on consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view in front elevation of one embodiment of a pair of shorts illustrating part of the invention;

FIGURES 2 and 2a show side views of different embodiments of the shorts shown in FIGURE 1 with the reverse side turned out;

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate difierent embodiments of a tubular extension member adapted to be connected to the shorts shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a View in elevation of the combination of the pair of shorts with a pair of extension members attached thereto.

With reference to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a pair of shorts having two leg members 11 and 12. At the extremity of leg members 11, 12 the shorts are hemmed on the interior side as indicated at 13 in FIGURE 2. Attached to the hem portion 13 on the interior of leg members 11, 12 are a plurality of spaced fastening devices 14 which, in the embodiment shown, comprise the female portion of well-known gripper type fasteners.

Since the fastener devices shown in FIGURE 2 are disposed on the interior of leg portions 11, 12, the shorts 10 have the appearance of ordinary walking shorts or Bermuda shorts and may be worn on any occasion where shorts are appropriate dress. However, if a change in climate, environment, or protocol makes it desirable to convert the shorts into slacks or trousers, this may be readily accomplished by attaching a pair of elongated tubular members 15a and 15b to the leg portions 11 and 12 (see FIGURE 5). It will be noted from FIGURE 5 that elongated tubular members 15a, 15b extend upwardly into and the point of joining is concealed by the lower end of leg portions 11, 12, respectively.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate different embodiments of the elongated tubular members. In FIGURE 3 the tubular member designated 16 is provided at its upper end with a plurality of spaced male fastening members 17 adapted to connect with the corresponding fastening elements shown at 14 in FIGURE 2 to connect the member 16 to the corresponding leg portion of the shorts 10. It will be noted that fastening members 17 are disposed on the outside of tubular member 16 which is preferably hemmed at this point.

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Due to modern machinery which spaces gripper snaps automatically, it is very important that the lower leg portion coincide with the upper leg portion. In the different sizes there will be a discrepancy in spacing as the last snap or fastener is attached, allowing for the increase or decrease in dimensions of the leg portion. Therefore, an important aspect of the present invention is the provision of means for assuring that the proper tubular extension member is connected to its corresponding leg portion of the shorts. In modern trousers, if the left tubular extension member should be attached to the right leg portion of the shorts, or vice versa, it would be uncomfortable to the wearer and unattractive in appearance. To obviate this possibility, the present invention contemplates the provision of identification means on at least one of the leg portions of the shorts and on at least one of the elongated tubular members to assist the wearer in making the proper connection. As shown in FIGURE 2, the identification means may comprise a colored tab 18 sewn or attached to hem portion at 13. A corresponding identification member 18a of similar color and configuration is sewn onto tubular extension 16 (in FIGURE 3) near the upper portion thereof. With these or other appropriate identification means attached to the matching parts of the apparel combination, the wearer may readily match the proper tubular extension to its correct leg member. If desired, a tab having a different color may be attached to the other leg portion and its tubular extension. FIG- URES 2a and 4 show a different embodiment of identification means. In FIGURE 4 tubular extension 19 is provided at its upper extremity with a strand of colored textile material attached thereto in the form of a loop 20. Loop 20 serves a dual purpose of identifying the tubular extension as to whether it is the left or right one and, in addition, it may be used to hang tubular extension 19 for storage purposes or for drying after laundering. It will be obvious that when using the loop identification means, a matching loop such as the loop 21 shown in FIGURE 2a or a tab may be sewn into the corresponding leg portion of the shorts 10 having a color which matches with that of loop 20.

Other forms of identification means will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, labels may be attached to the various members properly identifying left and right or small metallic discs may be attached to the members. Similarly, bar-tacking or woven shapes may be used as identification means.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the invention assembled in the form of a pair of slacks or trousers is attractive in its appearance with a continuous pleat extending from the leg portion of-the shorts throughout the respective tubular extension members.

The apparel combination of the present invention is versatile and adaptable for differing uses. In view of the ease with which the shorts may be converted into slacks, or vice versa, the present invention may be used for traveling and outdoor activities with maximum comfort and enjoyment. For example, in slacks form, the apparel may be worn on the street for marketing and converted into shorts when returning home. In traveling, the shorts may be worn in an automobile for comfort and converted into slacks when entering public places or stopping for meals. The ability to detach the tubular extensions tends to prevent these portions of the apparel from wrinkling or becoming soiled. The apparel of this invention is especially useful for picnics or outings where the tubular extension may be needed if the site is infested with insects, or if the wearer desires protection from the sun, wind, or cold. On the other hand, it may be desirable to remove the tubular extensions for purposes of wading in water or for athletic contests. The invention is equally applicable to garments for men, women, or children. In childrens wear, the present invention reduces laundering requirements and also permits an interesting variety of garments with coordinated tops and bottoms.

While the above description refers specifically to the use of gripper type fasteners, it will be obvious that other fastening means may be used within the spirit of the invention. For example, the tubular extension members may be provided with buttons with corresponding buttonholes located in the leg portions of the shorts. Whatever type fastening means is utilized, it is important that the tubular extension members fit up into the leg portions of the shorts so that the leg portions overlap the tubular extensions as shown in FIGURE 5.

What I claim is:

1. Wearing apparel comprising the combination of a pair of, shorts having two leg portions and two elongated tubular members adapted to be attached to said leg portions; a plurality of gripper type fasteners disposed in spaced relation and mounted on the interior, adjacent the extremity, of each of said leg portions; a plurality of fasteners mounted on the exterior surface of each of said tubular members adapted to coact with said gripper type fasteners to detachably connect said tubular members to said leg portions, and identification means on at least one of said tubular members and one of said leg portions to insure that the proper tubular member be connected to its matching leg portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the identification means provided on said tubular member comprises a length of strand-like material sewn into the upper portion of said tubular member so as to form a loop which may be used to hang up the tubular member.

References Cited by the Examiner JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

R. V. SLOAN, A. R. GUEST, Assistant Examiners. 

1. WEARING APPAREL COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF A PAIR OF SHORTS HAVING TWO LEGS PORTIONS AND TWO ELONGATED TUBULAR MEMBERS ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO SAID LEG PORTIONS; A PLURALITY OF GRIPPER TYPE FASTENERS DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATION AND MOUNTED ON THE INTERIOR, ADJACENT THE EXTREMITY, OF EACH OF SAID LEG PORTIONS; A PLURALITY OF FASTENERS MOUNTED ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF EACH OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS ADAPTED TO COACT WITH SAID GRIPPER TYPE FASTENERS TO DETACHABLY CONNECTED SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS TO SAID LEG PORTIONS, AND IDENTIFICATION MEANS ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS AND ONE OF SAID LEG PORTIONS TO INSURE THAT THE PROPER TUBULAR MEMBER BER CONNECTED TO ITS MATCHING LEG PORTION. 